Paving the Way Foundation, Inc’s Post

Easter and Spring are a lovely time to be outdoors. #Nature is precious in itself, but did you know it's also key to well-being and human health? Recent research by Chilterns National Landscape shows that it's a core factor for an inclusive society (link in the comments) What holds communities back? - Lack of information and access, - limited transport, compounding lack of time - safety concerns, especially for women and children, or with fear of free running dogs - and physical ability. These things resonate with me, especially as I often tend to #WalkWoodHP5 alone, and feel a duty of care to our #volunteer community. At Walk Wood, we also want to do our part. - our bridleway is well maintained and wheelchair accessible most of the year - we registered an additional permissive footpath to keep walkers off the road - our dead hedges keep walkers on trail, protecting bluebell and wildflower beds, and creating habitats. Access to nature should not come to its detriment and some spaces should be off-limits - we kindly ask walkers to keep dogs on leads during nesting season, and promote community awareness on topics such as asian hornet, why it's important to clean your boots, and more - we partner with local organizations and run volunteer and educational activities How do you enjoy nature, and what are your tips to support our outdoor spaces? Wishing a happy Easter weekend to all who celebrate it or are spending it in nature. #nature #inclusive #outdoors #community #health #wellbeing #accessibility #sustainability #volunteer #education #partnerships #ChilternsNationalLandscape #WalkWoodHP5

Axe throwing and 11 year old boys..…what could possibly go wrong!? My youngest on Scout camp this weekend. I don’t normally post pictures of my kids on LinkedIn…but I think much more of this stuff would make our country a better, happier and more productive place to live. 1. Kids shouldn’t be mollycoddled. Let them take risks. It’s the only way they learn. 2. Kids taking risks outdoors is the best type of risk-taking. It’s good for them on all sorts of levels. 3. ‘Fun’ does not need to involve screen-time. Get them outdoors. Let them get muddy and sweaty. 4. This stuff only happens when adults are prepared to voluntarily give up their time. Volunteering for the greater good is the best thing you can do for yourself and for kids. *Encourage your kids to take risks. *Don’t wrap them in cotton wool. *Think about how you could give up your time to make society a better, happier place. ps I’ve got 4 kids and none of them have suffered from this philosophy. Quite the opposite.

The sun’s out, the schools are closed and holiday mode is in full swing. But even if you’re off work it can still be a busy time- especially if you’re struggling to think of fun activities for kids that can rival the iPad. That’s why it’s so important to take time out to breathe, recuperate and reenage with life outside your usual work and home life bubble. If you’re not going away this summer, why not look into joining some local community initiatives? After all, there’s no reason to wait until September to explore something new. 🧑🌾 From gardening and rewilding projects in local parks, to tree planting or volunteering at a fun run, there’s plenty of options to choose from. Head to your local council’s website to check out what’s on in your area. ❤️🩹 Research from the National Council for Voluntary Organisations shows that volunteering and community involvement can improve your mental health, with 77% of people saying it boosts their wellbeing. 🐇 Whether it’s learning how to protect local wildlife or using tools to repair a children’s climbing frame, getting involved in community activities can teach new skills and give you the opportunity to try things you’d never usually do. 🧑🤝🧑 It can also help you to meet people locally, making new friends and adding to your existing support networks. Do you volunteer locally? Tell us about some of the best community projects you’ve ever been involved with? #Sledge #Volunteering #Community

Why DON'T we put them in charge? If I had five minutes to come up with the best ideas to save humanity, I would start with giving children more responsibility in their family and schools. Put children in charge of the care and feeding of animals. (That's right, have animals at your home and school. Animals of all kinds are good for children and they will be transformed by nurturing them). Put children in charge of the growing and harvesting of plants. (Yes- have both indoor and outdoor gardens. Have terrariums, aquariums, arboretums, and grow as many plants in your home and school as you can. ). Put children in charge of building and tending fires. (Indeed, expose children to fire and all of its benefits. Melt metal, make your own charcoal, fire clay into pottery, cook food). Put children in charge of teaching others. (We learn best from teaching others). Put children in charge of policing the playground. Put children in charge of cleaning the shores of creeks and ponds. (Make sure all children have access to creeks and ponds if possible. This is important). Put children in charge of as much of the rule-making as possible. Put children in charge of as many democratic processes as possible. Put children in charge of the maintenance and upkeep of their schools and homes. (Train them to clean, paint, scrub, shine, cut, trim, mow, sew, wax, polish, dust, and disinfect). Put children in charge and they will learn to run this world, and run it right.

Close your eyes. Take a deep breath. And relax. It's summer Decatur. The kids are of school. The pools are open. The beach is waiting. And the Square is alive. What do you have planned? Better yet, please share and show us. Post your favorite summertime memories all summer long. You never know; you may end up in our "Favorite Summer Memories 2024 Decatur" wrapup. Go ahead, use that tag and let's get trending. #favoritesummermemories2024Decatur #decatur #communityengagement #communityimpact #communitydevelopment #community #communitybuilding #communitylove #atlantarealestate #atlanta #summercamp2024 #summer2024

At SureCall Contact Centers, we pride ourselves on giving back to our community. Recently, our team assisted Hull Services by painting picnic tables, removing old paint, and trimming bushes. We learned that annual painting is necessary due to wear from children and sun exposure, and that the maintenance team is busy with multiple properties, often relying on volunteers. The experience was rewarding, especially learning about support programs for individuals away from home. Our efforts made a positive impact on these individuals' summer, and we encourage more volunteers to participate in community service initiatives. #ExecutiveLeadership #CEOInsights #CLevelLeadership #CorporateInnovation #CXOLeaders #BusinessPerformance #StrategicPartnerships #NYCExecutiveLeadership #LosAngelesBusinessSolutions #ChicagoCorporateStrategy #CaliforniaBusinessLeaders #DallasExecutiveDecisions #AtlantaEnterpriseSolutions #SeattleBusinessInnovation #LondonExecutiveLeadership #ManchesterBusinessSolutions #BirminghamCorporateStrategy #GlasgowBusinessOperations #LiverpoolLeadershipInsights #CorporateCultureExcellence #CanadianWorkplacePride #CultureOfInnovation

Strengthening the Parent-Child Bond: Fun Activities for Unforgettable Moments! Looking for ways to deepen the bond with your little ones? Let's explore some exciting activities that will bring you closer together and create cherished memories for years to come. From toddlers to preteens, these activities are perfect for nurturing your parent-child connection: 1. Family Game Nights: Gather around for some friendly competition with family game nights! Whether it's classic board games, card games, or outdoor activities like charades, family game nights are a fantastic way to laugh, bond, and create lasting memories together. 2. Nature Adventures: Explore the great outdoors together with nature adventures! Head to a nearby park, beach, or hiking trail for a day of exploration and discovery. Collect leaves, rocks, or shells, and encourage your children to share their observations and experiences along the way. 3. Cooking and Baking: Whip up some delicious treats together in the kitchen with cooking and baking sessions. Let your children take the lead in choosing recipes, measuring ingredients, and getting creative with decorations. Cooking together not only strengthens your bond but also teaches valuable life skills. 4. Arts and Crafts: Get creative with arts and crafts projects that allow your children to express themselves and showcase their creativity. Whether it's painting, drawing, sculpting, or crafting, spending time creating together fosters imagination, communication, and teamwork. 5. Storytime Adventures: Dive into the magical world of storytelling with storytime adventures! Choose a book to read together or take turns creating your own stories. Encourage your children to use their imagination and share their thoughts and ideas as you embark on literary journeys together. 6. Outdoor Sports and Activities: Get active together with outdoor sports and activities that promote teamwork and physical fitness. Whether it's playing catch, kicking a ball around, or going for a bike ride, outdoor play strengthens bonds while keeping everyone healthy and happy. 7. Volunteer Together: Give back to your community and teach your children the value of kindness and compassion by volunteering together. Whether it's helping out at a local shelter, participating in a beach clean-up, or visiting elderly neighbors, volunteering fosters empathy and strengthens bonds. So, let's make time for these special activities and create moments that will be treasured forever. By nurturing your parent-child bond, you're laying the foundation for a lifetime of love, trust, and connection.  #ParentChildBond #FamilyTime #CreatingMemories

Hooray! It’s the last day of school for my kiddos. Our summer plans consist of obviously having fun, vacationing, and camps. However, I have also planned some family volunteer time. Having both a middle and high schooler, the summer can be a great time to explore various volunteer opportunities within the community. I’d love to know what you’re plans are for volunteering this summer?   Please share in the comments below. #volunteering #skillsbasedvolunteering

🌷 Spring is in the air! 🌼 Here are my top 3 ideas to make the most of this beautiful season: - Embrace the Outdoors: Take advantage of the warmer weather by spending time outdoors. Whether it's a leisurely stroll in the park, a hike in the mountains, or a picnic with loved ones, there's something special about connecting with nature in springtime. - Cultivate a Hobby: Use this season as an opportunity to explore new interests or revisit old hobbies. Whether it's gardening, painting, photography, or learning a musical instrument, nurturing your passions can bring joy and fulfillment during the spring months. - Volunteer and Give Back: Spring is a season of renewal and growth, making it the perfect time to give back to your community. Consider volunteering at a local shelter, participating in a neighborhood clean-up, or organizing a fundraiser for a cause you care about. Let's make this spring a season of growth, connection, and positivity! What are your favorite ways to spend time in spring? Share your ideas in the comments below. 🌱 #SpringTime #Renewal #Community"

Outdoor play time is essential for developing healthier children, promoting physical activity, relieving stress, and fostering learning. The Silver Beach project is vital for instilling lifelong healthy behaviors that pave the way for healthier adults. https://ow.ly/ZBpt50TmaEn